University of Memphis keeps focus on Austin Peay

Jason Smith

11:20 PM, Dec 6, 2012

Geron Johnson drives to the basket as Ohio's D.J. Cooper (left) falls to the ground during Wednesday's game at FedExForum. Johnson and Shaq Goodwin (background) dominated for the Tigers, accounting for 41 of the team's 84 points.

What did a 26-point win Wednesday over an Ohio team with a top-50 RPI earn University of Memphis players Thursday?

"(Boot camp) has helped us a lot. It's keeping us active and in condition. Guys are not looking tired and are more aware out there of what's going on," junior Antonio Barton said.

With Memphis (5-2), a winner of three straight, set to face Austin Peay on Saturday at noon at FedExForum, coach Josh Pastner isn't allowing the Tigers sit back and rest on their laurels.

"Obviously Ohio, that's a good win. But I've never been around a bad win. Every win is good," Pastner said.

"But I also know that, hey, that game's history too. That was Wednesday night. Over with. Now our sights are locked on Austin Peay."

With all due to respect to Pastner, Memphis' 84-58 victory over an Ohio team picked to repeat as Mid-American Conference tournament champion on Wednesday was more than just a "good win."

It wasn't that the Tigers beat a quality opponent or that they did so convincingly. It was the way they won that made the victory arguably the most impressive nonconference win for Pastner in his four seasons at Memphis.

Led by the tough play of newcomers Geron Johnson and Shaq Goodwin, the Tigers dominated Ohio in nearly every facet of the game, flying up and down the court, turning defense into offense and looking every bit like the ranked team they were to begin the season.

In the process, they might have found a pair of new leaders as well in Johnson and Goodwin, who combined to score nearly half (41) of Memphis' 84 points. More importantly, the two appeared to set the tone for the rest of the team with their physical, in-your-face style of play.

Memphis hadn't yet forged an identity on the court this season before Wednesday. Now, due largely to Johnson and Goodwin, the Tigers have established themselves as a high-energy, high-intensity team with the ability to beat up opponents physically.

Now, the key for Memphis is maintaining this new identity with a Dec. 15 contest against No. 5 Louisville looming after Austin Peay (4-4).

But don't mention the L-word to Pastner.

"I don't want to hear about Louisville. Don't want to hear it," Pastner said. "Our only focus right now is our next game, which is Austin Peay. Nothing is more important than that."